JOB SUMMARY:

This opportunity is also open to all US citizens under announcement LPA-2013-0018.

If you are intrigued by the idea of working at a unique federal agency that has a tremendous impact on the funding and advancement of science, engineering and education, then the National Science Foundation is the place for you. In addition to funding research in traditional academic areas, NSF also supports innovative ideas, novel collaborations and numerous projects that may seem like science fiction today, but become the reality of tomorrow.

NSF has the advantages of a small agency environment that fosters collaboration, creativity and opportunities to contribute to major agency-wide projects. Consistently ranked by its employees as one of the top federal agencies in managing its workforce, NSF maintains a creative, flexible, and collegial atmosphere and is respected in both the public and private sectors for its management best practices and stewardship of federal funds. Join our team at one of the best places to work in the federal government and use your knowledge and imagination to keep NSF at the frontier of discovery! More about NSF. This position is located in the Office of the Director, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs, Public Affairs Division. A major function of the division is to support the NSF Director and Deputy Director in communicating the mission, policies, goals and impacts of NSF to enhance understanding of them and to expand collaboration on science and engineering issues between NSF and policy makers, other government entities, business and industry, academic institutions, and external organizations.

DUTIES:

Incumbent will develop and execute communication strategies to promote NSF policies, core values, strategic plan, research initiatives, and accomplishments to encourage governments, academia and industry to work toward a common understanding of NSF's science and engineering research and education priorities, goals and benefits. Specifically you will:

Develop a variety of written materials, especially formal speeches and remarks, for the Director and Deputy Director on research and education issues and goals for the nation.

Work directly with the Director and Deputy Director to facilitate communications with internal and external communities.

Advise the Director and Deputy Director in preparing materials for presentation.

Monitor progress on activities of interest to the Director and Deputy Director.

Develop and maintain reliable information sources within and outside NSF.

Identify and conceptualize ideas and materials needed to ensure that strategic goals and messages regarding NSF objectives and initiatives are conveyed by the Director and Deputy Director to interested parties.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To qualify for the GS-13 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in Federal service developing written materials for senior officials such as speeches, lectures, congressional testimony, presentations, talking points, and editorials on scientific topics; researching and assisting in the development of communication strategies; cultivating reliable information sources within the scientific community; and analyzing data to create reports and STEM presentation materials.

To qualify for the GS-14 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-13 level in Federal service developing written materials for senior officials such as speeches, lectures, congressional testimony, presentations, & reports on science policy issues; researching, developing & advising senior officials on communications strategies; cultivating reliable information sources in the scientific community; & generating & analyzing data to create reports & STEM presentations.

Education may enhance skills required for this position; however, no substitution of education for specialized experience may be made at this level.

You must meet eligibility and qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date. You must answer all job-related questions in the NSF eRecruit questionnaire. All online applicants must provide a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position. This position is in the bargaining unit.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Ratings will be assigned based on your responses to the occupational questionnaire. In some cases, additional assessment processes may be used.

Review your resume and responses carefully. Responses that are not fully supported by the information in your application package may result in adjustments to your score. A Human Resources Representative will validate the qualifications of those candidates eligible to be referred to the selecting official.

Applicants eligible for selection preference under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) must meet the agency definition of "well qualified." At NSF, this means a score of 90.0 or higher.

In the merit promotion selection process, due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals.

BENEFITS:

A GREAT LOCATION! The National Science Foundation is conveniently located one block from the Ballston Metro Station, a few blocks from Routes 66 and 50, and about three miles from downtown Washington. Employees may rent parking spaces in the building garage. There are many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance. Employees receive the Federal benefits package and NSF offers:

Pre-tax parking Public transportation subsidy Child Development Center on site Child care subsidy Flexible working hours Telecommuting Physical Fitness Facility on site NSF Federal Credit Union on site Health Services Unit on site Employee Assistance Program

OTHER INFORMATION:

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): ICTAP and CTAP provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP or CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP or CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified you must meet the following: OPM qualification requirements for the position, all selective factors, where applicable; special OPM approved qualifying conditions for the position; is physically qualified with reasonable accommodation, where appropriate, to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and receives a rating of at least “Very Good” on the questionnaire. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP or CTAP eligibility, or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information regarding ICTAP or CTAP eligibility is available from OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp

Veteran's Preference: If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency. For 5-point veterans' preference, please provide your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty, or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions. For 10-point veterans' preference, please submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, DD-214, and the required documentation as specified on the SF-15.

HOW TO APPLY:

Your application should be submitted online and must be completed and all required documents successfully faxed (or uploaded) before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the closing date. You must answer all of the job-related questions to ensure full consideration for this position. For more detailed information, please review our NSF eRecruit Applicant Guide. If you do not have internet access or if you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Representative listed in the vacancy announcement. WARNING! Applications submitted online must have a valid email address. If your email address is inaccurate or your mailbox is full or blocked, you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

NOTE: THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION TOOL IDENTIFIES A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR THIS POSITION BUT ARE NOT ACTUALLY REQUIRED. THE DOCUMENTS DESCRIBED BELOW ARE THE ONLY ONES REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB. ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS LISTED ARE OPTIONAL.

If you are an NSF employee in a permanent, competitive service position or you are an NSF employee who is reinstatement eligible based on prior Federal permanent, competitive service, you need not submit documents to confirm status.

1. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) or comparable federal agency form if you are a current or former permanent federal civil service employee.2. DD-214 (Member-4 copy); and if applicable, the Department of Veterans Affairs Notice of Compensable Disability Rating from applicants requesting consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), Veteran Recruitment Act (VRA), or the disabled veterans appointing authority.3. Schedule A Certification – from applicants requesting consideration under the Schedule A appointing authority for disabled applicants.4. Other – Documentation which verifies you are eligible to be appointed to a permanent position in the federal competitive civil service.

If you are requesting special employment consideration under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) you must submit documentation provided by your current or former employing agency verifying your eligibility for that program.

All faxing/uploading must be completed before 11:59 PM Eastern time on the vacancy closing date.If you are faxing your information, please use extreme care in dialing the fax number to assure we receive your information. You will receive an email confirmation of receipt of your faxed/uploaded document(s).